_] That's what I says! Eh? eh? You know it too! But if you say
that here, they'll tell you that it's only bad times.
_Enter ANSORGE, an earthenware pan with soup in one hand, in the
other a half-finished quarter-bushel basket._
ANSORGE
Glad to see you again, Moritz!
JAEGER
Thank you, father Ansorge--same to you!
ANSORGE
[_Shoving his pan into the oven._] Why, lad you look like a duke!
OLD BAUMERT
Show him your watch, Moritz. An' he's got a new suit of clothes, an'
thirty shillings cash.
ANSORGE
[_Shaking his head._] Is that so? Well, well!
EMMA
[_Puts the potato-parings into a bag._] I must be off; I'll maybe get a
drop o' buttermilk for these.
[_Goes out._
JAEGER
[_The others hanging intently and devoutly on his words._] You know how
you all used to be down on me. It was always: Wait, Moritz, till your
soldierin' time comes--you'll catch it then. But you see how well I've
got on. At the end o' the first half-year I had my good conduct stripes.
You've got to be willin'--that's where the secret lies. I brushed the
sergeant's boots; I groomed his horse; I fetched his beer. I was as sharp
as a needle. Always ready, accoutrements clean and shinin'--first at
stables, first at roll-call, first in the saddle.
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